A COUNCILLOR of a beauty hot spot has pleaded with people to respect the town as temperatures are set to soar in the Bradford district today.

The mercury is set to hit 28 degrees Celcius as a mini heatwave reaches the city.

It will even be warmer than New York, which will hit a high of 26C on the same day, according to the Met Office.

Such a scorching day will inevitably lead to Bradfordians wanting to head out to some of the district's more scenic destinations.

One of the hottest spots is Ilkley, where people can enjoy all the quaint town has to offer and take a dip in the River Wharfe.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth (The Independents, Ilkley) is encouraging people to support the town, but wants visitors to do so in a sensible manner.

She said: “Love Ilkley, respect Ilkley, but appreciate Ilkley has needs.

“Support Ilkley businesses because they help to make the Ilkley you enjoy.”

The last time temperatures soared to today's levels was at the back end of June.

With pubs, and their gardens, still shut at that point families, children, teenagers and adults flocked to Ilkley and the riverside.

But, West Yorkshire Police was forced to exercise a Dispersal Order (which allows officers to move people on from an area) in the town after a fight broke-out.

Cllr Hawkesworth does not want a repeat of that situation this time around and hopes the response from the authorities will be equally as strong, if things get out of hand.

She said: “The police are targeting anti social behaviour so that is good.

“The restrictions to bridge are still applying. That’s essential.

“The parking signs along the riverside are also a positive benefit to controlling the impact.

“I am also being assured messages will be relayed on the trains coming into town.

“Sadly however social distancing is a difficulty.

“You cannot legislate for stupidity.

“I am convinced Ilkley residents conscious of their own safety from the virus won’t be anywhere near.”

The attraction of Ilkley is in the fact you can walk for 10 minutes through the town and go from being by the river to its famous moor.

Fires and BBQs have been banned on Ilkley Moor (and other Moorland in the district) since July last year.

The area is covered by a Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) and anyone who refuses to extinguish a fire or BBQ and surrender such articles will be subjected to a fixed penalty notice and a fine not exceeding £100.

Unpaid fines may lead to prosecution in the Magistrates Court and could lead to a fine of up to £2,500.

Cllr Hawkesworth has warned people against being tempted to try their luck on the moor.

She said: "We're always very conscious of the Moor and the dangers of BBQs.

“We cannot have another fire up there to add to everything else."

Ultimately the councillor is calling on visitors to take responsibility, particularly given the district was put under new local restrictions recently.

She said: “They need to be careful now and should have been careful before.

“Many have, in my view, been irresponsible.

“Visitors in the town and cafés need to follow the rules and social distance properly.

“But that was the case before the new rules.

“As I said I think very few local residents will venture far in the next few days

“We have low incidence in Ilkley and want it to remain so.

"Please remember your day out is is in our home."